VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION General Discussions 1938 Chevrolet Coupe

I have just purchased an ex South Africa 1938 Sport Coupe in RHD but it is on a Master chassis not a knee suspension type. I'd like to research the vehicle, as I believe that it is quite rare. Strange that it isnt on the correct chassis/suspension.
Where would be the best place to research this?
Thanks
Bill

Bill, I'm going to detach this from the very old thread you posted in since it's not relevant to that thread. I'll put it in the General Discussion forum for you.

I'm no expert on 1938 Chevys but the fact that your car does not have a temperature gauge would indicate to me that it began life as the lower priced model. Maybe I don't understand your question. The prefix letters in the cars identification number determines its series on U.S. models., HA for Master Deluxe and HB for Master.

Mike

In the US the sport coupe (rumble seat) was not available in the lowest price Master model. Does the car have a HOLDEN BODY OR A FISHER bODY?

The way the spare tire mounts and the fact that i does not have the bump out on the rear bumper looks questionable.

That was a master model with the B suffix. Solid front axle. Locally made in GM plant. Fisher body.

It has a Fisher Body.

Thanks, where would I find this prefix on the vehicle?

Thank you

The car had the bumpers installed incorrectly, the front on the rear and the rear on the front.
I have now corrected this, so that the bumpers are now in the correct position.
The spare tyre is missing the cover and band. I am trying to locate one.

The car would be a HB model from the Serial Identification. Chassis number XGCHB12345.

I expect both the Fisher body and the chassis were produced in Canada and exported as a CKD kit for local assembly. The XGC suffix confirms the local South Africa assembly plant.

It is odd to see the straight axle in this combination since it was not used in US or Canadian sport coupes, but perhaps only the Master series chassis was sent to South Africa in kits.

The kick shackle on the front of the right front spring confirms the Canadian source as this style was not used in the USA in 1938.

The spare tire cover you need was used from 1937-39 on any Chevy cars with external spares. These models included 2 and 4 door sedans with "flat" backs (no trunk lid), sport coupes and convertibles. Good luck with your search.

Tom

. It appears to be a Fisher body with 2 body belts where as Holden only had one rib. When you open the bonnet, you should see an aluminum Fisher body plate that looks like the photo attached. It should be near the chassis plate. .If it is a factory Straight axle, The STYLE No. will read: 38-1287. If it reads 38-1087, the spring hangers might be bolted on and not riveted. If the frame was changed, it will be hard to tell. The Standard steering box has a 19:1 ratio and the Deluxe has a 17:1 ratio. They both use the same housing so are hard to differentiate at a glance.
. Lou .
.

FWIW the bumpers came from the factory (at least in the USA) with the center groove of the bumpers and the three bars at the top of the bumper guards painted black. Below shows one of my bumpers after removal for shipping to the chromer. There wasn't a whole lot of paint left but it was there.